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What Are Pro Rata Rights, and Why Do All Investors Care About Them?

Pro-rata rights provide investors the option to invest in funding rounds.

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Pro-rata rights are a form ofย anti-dilution protectionsย that investors use to maintain their level of ownership in a given business.

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To learn more about other terms commonly used in venture capital,ย check out our complete VC Glossary.

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Table of Contents

Pro rata rights - Confluence.VC

What is pro rata in venture capital?

In venture capital, the term pro rata rights give investors the chance to buy more shares in a business. This can help reduce the amount of ownership others have in the business.

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Offering pro rata rights is an important part of raising funds for startups. It can help attract new investors and keeps existing investors It allows investors to maintain or increase their ownership in a business, which can help ensure that they are still adequately rewarded for the risk they take with their capital as well as helping them protect their interests in the long term.

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With pro rata rights, the investor does not have an obligation to maintain their percentage of ownership in ensuing rounds, but they have the right to do so if they wish.

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Pro rata rights also allow founders to access new rounds of financing, which can be invaluable in ensuring the continued success of a business.

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By providing pro rata rights to venture capitalists, businesses are able to ensure they will have access to more capital while also providing investors with an increased return on their investments. This makes pro-rata rights an important tool for both sides of the table.

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Does pro rata mean equal shares or equal ownership percentage?

No, pro rata does not mean equal shares.ย 

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Pro-rata rights give venture capitalists the option to invest in subsequent rounds of financing , but the amount of shares they receive is dependent on their existing percentage ownership.

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For example, if a venture capitalist owns 25% of a business and the business decides to raise an additional $50 million, the investor may choose to invest an additional $25 million (pro-rata) so that their ownership remains unchanged. This does not mean the investor will receive 25% of the new shares, as the amount is dependent on their original shareholding percentage.

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Pro rata rights provide venture capitalists with the option to invest in subsequent rounds of financing while also protecting their interests in the business. This can help ensure that venture capitalists receive an adequate return on their investments and maintain control of a company over time.

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Pro rata rights do not necessarily guarantee equal shares, as the amount of new shares purchased is dependent on each investor’s original stake.

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It is an important tool in venture capital and should be carefully considered when making any investment decisions.

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How do you negotiate pro rata rights?

Negotiating pro rata rights is an important part of venture capital and can help investors protect their interests in a business. When negotiating these rights, investors should be sure to understand the terms of the agreement, as well as their current percentage ownership.

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Other factors like company valuation and financing rounds should also be taken into account.

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It is important to note that pro rata rights are not guaranteed and should be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Investors should be sure to discuss the terms of the agreement with the business and any other investors before agreeing to invest.

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Are pro rata rights standard?

No, pro rata rights are not standard and they should be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Pro rata rights give VC’s the option to invest in subsequent rounds of financing, but they are not guaranteed.

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Investors should be sure to understand the terms and conditions of any pro rata rights agreement before making any investment decisions.

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How do you calculate pro rata equity?

Pro rata equity is calculated by taking into account the percentage of ownership that an investor has in a company. The amount of new shares purchased by the investor would then be determined by their percentage ownership.

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Pro rata rights are an important tool for both venture capitalists and businesses, as it allows investors to maintain control over a company and provides access to additional capital for businesses. Understanding how to calculate pro-rata equity is essential in order to make informed investment decisions.

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Here is an example:

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A company raises a seed round at a $6M pre-money valuation.ย 

  • Prior to the seed round, the company had issued 3M shares. The price for each share of the company’s stock is $2. The company is now raising a total of $2M, issuing a total of 1M new shares.

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A venture capital fund invests $250k in the seed round.ย 

  • Since each share is $2, the fund receives 125k shares and thus owns 4.17% of the company (125k divided by 3M). Let’s assume this fund has pro-rata rights.

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One year later, the company decides to raise $5M for their Series A.ย 

  • The pre-money valuation of this round is $20M. So the price for each share that is being issued now is $6.67 ($20M / 3M shares). The company is raising a total of $5M, issuing a total of 750k new shares.

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The venture capital fund has pro-rata rights, so they can invest up to an amount required to maintain its exact ownership % in the company.

  • Before this round, the fund owned 4.17% of the company.ย 

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There are now 3.75M shares, and the fund has to decide whether or not to participate in this round.

  • If they were to exercise pro-rata rights, they would need to hold 156,250 shares (4.17% x 3.75M shares). Since they already own 125,000 shares, they would need to buy an additional 36,250 shares to maintain their ownership (156,250 – 125,000).

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Do angel investors get pro rata rights?

Yes, angel investors have the option to receive pro rata rights.ย 

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Pro rata rights allow an investor to invest in subsequent rounds of financing and maintain their ownership percentage of the company. Angel investors typically have a smaller stake in the business, so the amount of shares they are entitled to receive may be less than that of venture capitalists.

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Angel investors should understand the terms and conditions of any pro rata rights agreement before investing in order to make informed decisions.

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What are pro rata participation rights?

Pro rata participation rights allow existing investors to invest in additional funding rounds of financing and maintain their percentage ownership of the company. This means that if an investor owns a certain amount of shares, they can buy more shares in later funding rounds so their ownership stays the same.

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It helps ensure that investors get a return on their investments and can stay in control of a business.

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What are preemptive rights?

Preemptive rights are a way for investors to make sure they keep their ownership in a company.

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Investors have the right to buy more shares if someone else wants to invest, so that their percentage of ownership stays the same. This helps them get a return on their investments and stay in control.

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Preemptive rights vs pro rata rights?

No, preemptive rights are not the same as pro rata rights.

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The difference between pro rata rights and preemptive rights is that pro rata rights allow investors to invest in subsequent rounds of financing and maintain their percentage ownership of the company, while preemptive rights allow investors to purchase additional shares if someone else wants to invest, so that they can keep their ownership share unchanged.

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Pro rata rights provide investors with the opportunity to stay in control of their investments, but preemptive rights offer an extra layer of protection for investors.

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Neither preemptive rights or pro rata rights require an obligation on the part of the investor.

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Pro rata rights and preemptive rights both provide investors with the opportunity to stay in control of their investments, but they should be discussed and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Investors should make sure they understand the terms of any agreement before agreeing to invest.

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Are there risks associated with having pro rata rights?

Yes, there are risks associated with having pro rata rights.

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These risks can include dilution of equity and reduced voting power. When exercising pro rata rights, investors may be required to purchase additional shares of the company which could lead to dilution of their holdings and a decrease in their overall percentage ownership. This could then lead to fewer voting rights, making it difficult for investors to influence decisions related to the company’s future.

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It is important for investors to understand the terms and conditions of any pro rata rights agreement before investing in order to make sure that they are comfortable with the risk associated with them.

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Additionally, exercising pro rata rights may limit an investor’s ability to diversify their portfolio by investing in other companies or industries. As more capital is invested in a single business, an investor’s total risk exposure increases greatly.

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By maintaining a diversified portfolio, investors can spread out their risk over multiple markets and sectors which will help reduce overall risk associated with a particular investment.

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Overall, while pro rata rights can be beneficial for protecting investor interests in a business, they also come with inherent risks that should be carefully considered before making any investment decisions.

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Investors should weigh all potential risks associated with exercising these rights as well as understand their current stake in the company before deciding whether or not it is worth it for them financially.

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To learn more about other terms commonly used in venture capital,ย check out our complete VC Glossary.

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Bottom line

A “pro-rata-rights-agreement” give investors the opportunity to maintain their ownership stake in a company as it grows and raises more money.ย 

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As a venture capitalist, understanding pro-rata rights can help you better assess and manage risk within your portfolio companies. While pro-rata rights may be seen as unfair by some, they play an important role in venture capitalism and help ensure that early investors are able to continue to profit from a successful investment.

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If you’re thinking about investing in a startup, make sure you understand how pro-rata rights work and how they might affect your returns.

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Reading bonus: What is an LP (Limited Partnership)?

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